Closing out Matches
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

It may sound strange but a winning situation often makes a player more vulnerable. You may start feeling comfortable and less competitive when you win the first set or take a big lead in a set. That's understandable - but dangerous! Dropping your guard can result in a momentum switch.

Another vulnerability can arise when the winning post gets close. Nerves come into play, causing you to freeze or 'choke' on the brink of victory.

The best way to avoid losing a lead is to learn from the experience. The same goes for choking. Once you've been there and can recognise the dangers, you can start coming up with strategies to deal with them. That's why your most important lessons are your losses.

When you find yourself in a situation where you've lapsed into over-confidence in the past, such as winning the first set - recognise the danger, sharpen up your mind and get mean! Don't let your opponent get a sniff of a chance! Just remind yourself: when the going gets easy, the tough get bored - don't let it happen!

Choking is more difficult to anticipate. Sometimes it happens to you, sometimes it doesn't. When it does, try to recognise it as soon as possible. Are you praying your opponent will miss shots? Are you trying to play more carefully because you don't want to mess up? Are you anxious about your opponent because suddenly it looks like he's really up for it? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes", don't panic! It's perfectly normal to encounter these feelings. You're not chicken. You're not a failure. You're just human. Don't fight it - it may only make things worse. Smile! Yes, go on, smile! Think of a favourite saying or try putting a favourite tune in your head before you start the next point. Then switch off the tune, focus on your breathing, switch yourself into the present and get on with the job.

Try different methods of getting yourself into a positive frame of mind until you find one that does it for you. And when you find it, bottle it and keep it with you!

Regards.

Dave Winship